Context:
Union Ministry of Mines is to launch the National Geoscience Data Repository (NGDR) Portal.
About National Geoscience Data Repository (NGDR) Portal:
- A part of the National Mineral Exploration Policy (NMEP), 2016.
- All geological, geochemical, geophysical, and mineral exploration data available in the public domain on a digital geospatial platform.
- Spearheaded by – Geological Survey of India (GSI) and Bhaskaracharya Institute of Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N)
- Include baseline geoscience data and all mineral exploration information generated by various central and state government agencies.
- Significances of the portal –
- Democratizes critical geoscience data by encouraging transparency and knowledge sharing by offering open access.
- Will expedite, enhance, and facilitate the exploration coverage of the country.
- Increases the investment attractiveness of the mining sector.
About NMEP, 2016:
- Targets exploration of deep-seated and concealed mineral deposits.
- Aims at accelerating the exploration activity in the country through enhanced participation of the private sector.
- Establishment of a National Centre for Mineral Targeting (NCMT) – Geological Survey of India Training Institute (GSITI), Hyderabad.
- Key features –
- Auctioning of identified exploration blocks for exploration by the private sector on a revenue-sharing basis.
- Creation of baseline geoscientific data as a public good.
- To map the entire country with low altitude and close space flight to precisely locate the deep-seated minerals such as gold, silver, copper, etc.
Geological Survey of India:
- Established in 1851.
- Function – Creation and updation of national geoscientific data, mineral resource assessment, and air-borne and marine surveys.
- Ministry – Ministry of Mines
- Headquarters – Kolkata
- 6 Regional Offices – Lucknow, Jaipur, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Shillong, Kolkata
Source: PIB
Previous Year Question
With reference to the “Tea Board” in India, consider the following statements:
1. The Tea Board is a statutory body.
2. It is a regulatory body attached to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
3. The Tea Board’s Head Office is situated in Bengaluru.
4. The Board has overseas offices at Dubai and Moscow.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2022 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 3
(b) 2 and 4
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 1 and 4
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
The Tea Board is functioning as a statutory body of the Central Government under the Ministry of Commerce. Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.
Its headquarters is located in Kolkata. Hence, Statement 3 is not correct.
